New Zealand 40-21 Ireland: Ruthless hosts continue stunning Eden Park streak
'%20transform='translate(-56%20-679)%20translate(40%20141)%20translate(16%20538)'%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23000'%20fill-rule='nonzero'%20stroke='%23979797'%20stroke-width='.5'%20d='M6.608%200C2.964%200%200%202.99%200%206.667c0%203.676%202.964%206.666%206.608%206.666%203.644%200%206.608-2.99%206.608-6.666S10.252%200%206.608%200zm0%201.111c3.048%200%205.507%202.48%205.507%205.556%200%203.075-2.459%205.555-5.507%205.555-3.048%200-5.507-2.48-5.507-5.555%200-3.075%202.46-5.556%205.507-5.556zm-.55%201.111v5h3.854v-1.11H7.16v-3.89H6.058z'%20transform='translate(1.322%201.333)'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
New Zealand preserved their stellar 32-year unbeaten run at Eden Park with a dominant 40-21 victory over Ireland on Saturday.
The All Blacks scored six tries to overwhelm their visitors and continue their perfect run at the Nations Championship so far with a third straight win.
Ireland struggled to get going in the early stages, with New Zealand punishing their errors by claiming the bonus point before the break as Patrick Tuipulotu, Ardie Savea, Will Jordan and Asafo Aumua all crossed.
Ireland did get on the board in the first half as Jack Conan took advantage of Luke Jacobson's yellow card for a dangerous clearout on Josh van der Flier, with the flanker avoiding a red card following an off-field review.
Andy Farrell's side gave themselves hope of claiming a losing and try bonus as Joe McCarthy and Hugo Keenan both got tries on either side of Damien McKenzie scooping up a recycled ball to score.
However, Anton Lienert-Brown rounded off the emphatic win in the final minute after Jordan offloaded to him to record a fourth straight win over Ireland.
Defeat in Auckland. pic.twitter.com/UwytznnMRw
— Irish Rugby (@IrishRugby) July 18, 2026
Eden Park fortress proves too much for Ireland
Before the match, Ireland captain Dan Sheehan urged his team to make history, but they could not end New Zealand's superb run in Auckland.
The All Blacks are now unbeaten in their last 53 Tests at Eden Park, a run that stretches back to 1994, with South Africa remaining the last team to beat them at the venue.
Ireland created a lot of their own problems in the first half, with their errors opening the door for New Zealand to ensure they finish the first round of the Nations Championship with a 100% record with three wins from three.
And Jordan, in particular, can always cause a problem against Farrell's side. He has now scored 51 tries in 57 Tests and six in seven appearances against Ireland.
France also earned a dominant win to round off the Southern series, beating Japan 42-15 to earn their second win in a row – their only loss came against New Zealand in their opener.
